Bill seeks fingerprints with FOID, carry applications

Brian L. CoxPioneer Press

A bill sponsored by State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, would require those applying for concealed carry licenses or firearm owner identification cards to provide fingerprints, something he said would close a loophole that allows convicted felons who change their names to obtain the documents.

With little time left before the end of the Illinois General Assembly's session and a powerful gun rights lobby in Springfield, Silverstein's bill stands a slim chance of becoming law. But he said it's a matter that should be addressed.

"This is a major loophole that the Legislature missed," said Silverstein, whose 8th District includes Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie. "There's a person who got away with it pretty good. I was trying to close a loophole. We hear about all this gun violence … it's another way for people to get more guns."

He said he decided to sponsor the law after hearing about a Chicago convicted felon involved in a self-defense shooting. That man, he said, was convicted 15 years ago of a felony but he later changed his name and successfully received a FOID card and concealed carry permit under his new legal name.

Members of the Illinois Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association, which advocate for gun rights, did not respond to requests seeking comment on the bill. But the IRA opposes five other gun-related bills Silverstein has introduced, including those calling for gun owners to carry liability insurance, according to the organization's website.

Fingerprinting currently is not required to own or carry a firearm in Illinois, Silverstein said, and convicted felons are not allowed to legally carry guns in Illinois.

Silverstein said Illinois should ensure permits are only issued to those proven eligible through a background check that includes fingerprinting.

"I can't see the gun community opposing something like this," Silverstein said. "If you're opposing it, you're hiding something. If they want transparency they want to represent their members they should allow this to happen. It's just common sense."

Silverstein said the legislation, Senate Bill 3448, may be considered during the last week of the General Assembly's veto session, which began Monday.

In 2013, Illinois enacted concealed carry legislation. State law allows an applicant to submit fingerprints to expedite the FOID process but does not require it, officials said. Silverstein's proposal would require fingerprints be submitted for every application and would check the fingerprints against Department of Corrections records to ensure a felon doesn't acquire either a conceal carry license or an FOID card, according to text in the bill.

"I'm trying to see if we can get it passed before the end of the week … or reintroduce it next year," Silverstein said.